Taree's first statues

The two sentinel Diggers figures will each stand approximately 1500mm high and will be posted on the corners of the memorial clock's platform overlooking Fotheringham Park.

The sentinels will cost about $8800 each, with the total cost likely to be $35,600 including transportation, insurance and installation.

The Taree RSL sub-branch has already committed $5000 towards the statues, with the sub-branch to undertake community fund raising as well as pursuing council and the corporate sector to raise funds for the remainder.

A rough timeline of the project has the two statues slated for delivery and installation by November 2018, in time for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

The addition of the two statues was voted for at a Taree RSL Sub-branch general meeting on Sunday, July 19.

Senior vice president of the sub branch, Darcy Elbourne, said the statues were an important part of commemorating 100 years of Anzac.

"We feel that the community, from what they showed us on Anzac Day this year, have shown their commitment to remembering and commemorating our servicemen and women," he said.

"The Centenary of Anzac is of special significance to all Australians and the completion of the memorial clock with the two Australian digger statues will demonstrate that this community remembered not only the original Anzacs who served at Gallipoli and the Western Front, but commemorate more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and women."

Darcy said that the statues would hold symbolic value as well, with their position on the World War I memorial clock stage overlooking the columns commemorating other wars and conflicts in the park.

The statues are the latest in a series of developments at the park, with recent projects including the addition of a WWI memorial walkway, a new water bubbler and restoration of the clock tower.

lachlan.leeming@fairfaxmedia.com.au